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Thursday, November 17, 2011

Mother's Milk is Best for Infant Gut Flora

We recently ran across an article and research by the husband of one of our very own Idaho Leaders explaining why the bacteria in your baby's gut is superiorly supported by mommy milk.

Here is a brief blurb from the site:

The newborn gut and brain are only
partially developed. Mother’s milk is needed to supply growth factors
to close and differentiate the gut epithelium, and long chain omega-3
fatty acids for brain growth. Formula may eventually be supplemented
with the needed fatty acids, but the growth factors/hormones present in
mother’s milk will not be provided in formula. Recent studies have
shown that hundreds of different genes are activated in gut cells from
infants fed either breast milk or formula. Formula leaves the gut leaky
and fails to stimulate the development of the immune system that is
dependent on interaction with normal infant gut flora. These
dysfunctions partially explain the increased (10X to 100X) gut and
respiratory infections resulting from formula use. The reduced brain
development with formula explains the five point reduction in IQ of
formula fed infants.

You really need to visit Dr Art Ayers' website and read the full article for yourself.

Followers

La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. All breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women interested in breastfeeding are welcome to come to our meetings or call our Leaders for breastfeeding help.